New York Times: “The White House welcomed reporters and influencers from around the world onto the South Lawn for half an hour on Thursday morning to inspect the towering, claw-like superstructure that has been built there for the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout that President Trump is hosting on his 80th birthday this weekend.”

“While the president sat inside the White House, fulminating about the war in Iran — “We will be taking Kharg Island,” he threatened online — dozens of people wandered dazedly inside the monsterama he built out back, trying to get a sense for how Sunday’s showdown will play out. It is sure to be a night unlike any other in Washington history.”

CNN: “The numbers ‘8647’ — a phrase generally used to signal opposition to President Donald Trump — appeared etched into the grass on the National Mall on Thursday, days before massive crowds are expected in the area for a UFC match on Trump’s birthday on Sunday.”

“Congress is increasingly defying Donald Trump’s agenda as Republicans race against a ticking clock to keep their trifecta heading into November,” Politico reports. 

“Trump’s made a spate of calls for sweeping changes that have fallen flat on the Hill in recent months. His push to eliminate the filibuster doesn’t have the votes, a fact Senate Majority Leader John Thune has repeated. Calls to replace the Senate parliamentarian landed on deaf ears. And it’s a big zilch on his push to eliminate the blue slip privilege on judicial nominations.”

NBC News: “Jacob Reses, the chief of staff to Vice President JD Vance, will leave the administration at the end of the summer.”

Sarah Fitzpatrick: “Behind the scenes, Justice Department and other Trump-administration officials have quietly assured allies that plans for some form of payout remain on track.”

“I spoke with eight people familiar with the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund—including current and former Justice Department officials, current and former members of Congress, a defense attorney, and political operatives close to the administration. All said that Justice Department officials and people close to the White House have indicated that the payout idea has not actually been scrapped.”

“Rather, they say, officials are exploring whether elements of the fund can be reactivated while also examining alternative arrangements to make sure loyalists get compensated.”